Category Archives: Videos

To quote their own press release: “Out 5 June, ‘Wonderwomen’ is the superpowered new single from London’s ‘mummycore’ feminist pop band I, Doris – delivering the message that ‘you don’t need to be a hero, you’re doing fine as you are, love’. A DIY comic book video accompanies the release, which sees the Dorisses donning superhero costumes to tackle everyday epic battles, like the school run, the office, and the supermarket.”

Crashing into being with the drums then a slapping bass (and what a bass line ) reminiscent of the Grange Hill theme tune, flange guitar, disco-like keytar, cool, sweet harmonies and multiple voices (for true democracy) we are immediately in our comfort and fun zone and possibly even ready for the dancefloor (which is itself a battlefield of sorts). The track thumps, bumps, sparkles, whizzes and fizzes. Alongside some of the greats like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and more recently Phil Redmond (he, creator of Grange Hill and Brookside), I, Doris know the way to reach the most people is through popular culture.

Wonderwomen does just that – it is relatable, catchy and gloriously fun and full of DIY ethos as though we could all do this. In this way I, Doris hook the listener and embed their serious message. It does not get any more serious than this. I, Doris may not seem too heavy about themselves, happy to be a little self -mocking with ‘pants outside my tights..’ but do not be fooled. These women are super smart and know that just like charity, real revolutions start at home – as they say, on the school run and in the supermarket. Doris says of the song:

“Women are often praised for being multi-tasking superheroes – who needs that kind of pressure? This is a song about cutting yourself some slack. If you’ve managed to get the kids to school in one piece, and get through the day without thumping your boss, you’re doing fine.”

Women don’t need to change who they are or what they do to be more equal or of more value, Society needs to change how IT perceives and values them. The timing of the release could not be any more poignant. Through this pandemic we are experiencing a heightened reassessment of how Society values race, class, gender and the economy, as roles once looked down on as menial are currently valued as they should be – essential and important. Long may this last.

The song is on point as is the comic book style video that accompanies the track which could not be more fitting or more fun. A vignette of where Grange Hill meets the Marvel Comics the video features some of their best work to date – their own children. Our future is bright with these young people in it, growing up as they do with this kind of messaging as everyday to them as teeth brushing or breakfast cereal.

With this classic pop track it is clear that I, Doris are not just ‘Mummycore’; they are hardcore revolutionaries, boosting our confidence, prepping us for everyday battle and getting us ready to run a better world in less than 2.5mins. They are doing more than fine. They are Wonderwomen. If you can’t see that you’d better go to Barnard Castle.

Wonderwomen is out today on Bandcamp (fee free – whoop!) and you can find I, Doris on Facebook

Alfah Femmes

Today’s video of the day is ‘Tiger’ by Texan trio Nobody’s Girl, aka BettySoo, Rebecca Loebe, and Grace Pettis. Pettis says the band from ‘Tiger’…

“… for those of us trying to keep it together; keep our emotions and our “crazy” at bay, knowing we’re ‘just one reason away’ from losing that control…There are plenty of songs about getting angry and responding with aggression. And there are plenty of songs about taking it easy and not letting anything bother you. ‘Tiger’ is not either of them.”

Video of the day today comes from London’s Katie Wood – ‘Steve’ – with an aesthetic straight out of 1985 Top of the Pops. Katie says of the track:

“I wrote ‘Steve’ when I was in the shower—I had the hook ‘I’m losing control’ and I accidentally sung the name Steve. As soon as that happened I knew what the song would be about. The whole sound pretty much came together in my head, I had spent a lot of last year learning how to produce, so I just decided to make something sound exactly how I would want to hear it.”

Today’s video of the day is MAITA‘s ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’ from their debut album Best Wishes out May 15 on Kill Rock Stars. The DIY video was made with MAITA’s friends and family in isolation.

Principal songwriter and front person for MAITA, Maria Maita-Keppeler says of the track:

“Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet” was inspired by my experience with college parties. Every weekend at some grimy house filled with young, drunk people, I would have that moment late at night where I stared into the crowd and remembered that death was waiting for all of us, regardless of how alive we felt. In those moments, everything would suddenly seem insignificant, and we became so naive and small. I wanted to hide the gravity of this truth within a song that felt vibrant and full of life, just as these dark truths were hidden for me within nights of intoxicated revelry. The song carries a different weight for me today, in the midst of this new Covid reality, where the dark truth seems more exposed than ever, and the quest for joy feels more urgent, almost desperate.”

On the video Maria says

“My initial idea for this song was to do a classic house party music video, but of course, that was not possible once we began social distancing. What happened instead felt all the more apt for the song. I gave my friends complete freedom in creating their videos, and found them to be so honest and captivating, each and every one. As I spent hours editing it, I felt like I was hanging out with all of them, sharing in each of their unique spirits, their particular ways of processing our new reality. It felt as if we were all at that party, and that we were all on that singular precipice – that precipice between joy and grief that I used to come to alone – together.”

Video of the day comes from Lithuanian punx Crucial Features – ‘Altorius‘ (Altar) – off of their debut LP ‘Venera Budo‘ (The Awakening of Venus). The album digs into the subjects of unconventional beauty, the cult of vanity and ‘woke culture’.